Part 45 (1/2)
”What did he say?”
”'How are you, Johnson? I'm going down for a tub. It will take some time to get clean, but I'll try and be down for breakfast. I'm hungry.'”
”That was all?”
”Yes.”
”Did he look ill?”
”No, a bit tired. He's a wonderful man.”
”He is, Johnson; you are quite right, a very wonderful man,” said Eve with a bright smile.
When Alan came down he found her in the morning-room. He held out his arms.
”Come to me, Eve, come! I want you badly--I love you so. I thought once I should never see you again and it nearly killed me. I dreaded the idea of never seeing you more than the danger or the bullets.”
She came; he took her to him and kissed her pa.s.sionately. Johnson discreetly closed the door, he was an admirable servant. They were alone for an hour, a blessed time, more united than they had been, their hearts beating in unison; they were one.
Hurriedly he gave her a brief outline of his adventures. She listened breathlessly. He was indeed a hero, a brave man, and he was hers; her happiness was almost too much, she simply sighed and nestled to him.
He punctuated his tale with kisses. He ended by saying in determined tones:
”We must be married before I return. I can't risk it again, after all I have gone through. I dare not. You will consent, Eve; you will?”
She said yes and he was soothed and satisfied.
”Perhaps it will be as well to tell them all at breakfast,” she said.
”All who?”
She laughed and gave him the names of her guests.
”What an ordeal!” he said. ”Who will tell them?”
”You must, Alan, and spare my blushes.”
Not much surprise was manifested when Alan made the announcement.
There was a chorus of congratulations; everybody thought it an excellent match. Captain Morby said to himself:
”I knew they'd do it, but they have been a long time about it.”
Alan had to relate his adventures in Brussels and Bruges. He thrilled his listeners as he described his hair-breadth escapes on his return to headquarters.
He was not due back for a few weeks; during that time he and Eve were quietly married at Little Trent Church, only a few persons being present. They went for a brief honeymoon to the South and on their return to Trent Park met with a great reception.
Mr. Hallam arranged with Eve to remain at The Forest until his return to Australia. He seemed in no hurry to leave England.
It was during Alan's stay at Trent Park that Jane Meason surprised her father by returning home alone.